mass-rallies_consensus-based_procedures-used-WashingtonDC_oct2011

Comment

Comment by Tony Nuspl on October 14, 2011 at 2:02pm

Analysis/Comment on the consensus-based decision-model used by Occupy movements nationwide:

 

What the images and soundbites have largely missed is a nightly event that governs and completely explains the movement. At 7 each night, everyone present convenes on the steps of the Park for a "General Assembly." It's run by a few "facilitators" who ask everyone to sit, explain what is going to happen and set up the world's lowest-tech communication system. Because they can't use electronic sound systems, they've adopted their own "microphone" system. Each speaker says about five words, and the crowd repeats them loudly enough for the entire Assembly to hear, until a full thought is expressed. Everyone gets to speak, although they can be asked to shorten up if the informal pressure to be polite isn't enough.

The group tries to reach "consensus", not by a majority-rules voting system, but by a series of hand gestures that signify Like What I Hear, Don't Like What I Hear, Point Of Information, Block, and other reactions. At some point after the hand signals have been clear enough to show a trend, the Assembly is asked if there is a consensus and if anyone wishes to register a "Block". A "Block" is signified by the crossing of the forearms and it it's emphasized that it should be used for for ethical and safety issues alone, NOT to voice disagreement or uncertainty. If 10 percent of the Assembly registers a "Block" then no consensus is reached.

Such is the mechanism for operating what is otherwise the most technically-savvy and penetrating social movement of our time. It is grass-roots democracy in its most essential and pared-down form.

It is impressive on levels that can't be described. You have to see it.

 

http://www.policyshop.net/home/2011/10/12/whats-real-at-occupy-wall...